Crossing the Equator;: Sailors' baptism and other initiation rites, with a Danish summary

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-unity, or in the case of primitive peoples, a tribe or a society. ’t is deeply ingrained in the human mind that whenever we want to make O ': entry into a new circle of people we must win, or even buy, their friendliness. ! happens today, just as it always has done. A man starting work in a new office his colleagues a cup of coffee, a workman treats his mates to beer. This ■ cto be called pay a footing (Danish: honse), that is giving money to provide a .‘•mall celebration for your new comrades. Something drinkable, preferably spirits, must be offered. After we have drunk together with a man, that man is our friend. When we have offered our new comrades drink, and they have ac­ cepted it, we are admitted into their guild or community and recognized as a member with the same rights as the other members. A friendship toast is drunk with the new comrades, both in the literal and figurative sense. . Sometimes, particularly when it is a case of being admitted into one of the more regular organizations, a test has to be passed, though not quite the kind of examination we know from school. The new man has to show that he is worthy of being accepted (cf. the tests the young men of primitive tribes are put to, the “planing" of craftsmen, the students’ depositio). These tests may often be both mischievous and brutal, though this does not hinder those who have suffered from being just as brutal when at last they are admitted themselves and have in

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12 their turn to test a new batch of novices. This part of the proceedings is often abused extremely, but no one ever is able to refuse it. Some points we pass in life may be purely topographical ones, for instance when we pass certain places, on land or sea, which possess a striking appearance or are established by tradition. A sailor, who for example has never been past Kullen or across the Equator is not considered a real deep sea sailor by his for­ tunate shipmates who have already passed these places. It is obvious, therefore, that when at last he does come there—whether it be a particularly striking na­ tural feature like a headland or an island, or a purely abstract geographical con­ ception like “the Line”—he must be baptized and at the same time give his more experienced shipmates a treat.

The present work, which deals with these customs, falls naturally into two main parts: 1. Topographical, in which the rites and ceremonies carried out when passing certain places on a journey are discussed, and 2. Social, dealing with such customs as applied to passing certain points in life. The first group, which might also be called Admission into the ranks of the widely travelled, deals first and foremost with baptism at sea. Evidence is pro­ duced concerning Line, Tropic and Polar baptism, as well as baptism in European waters. Parallels are given of similar customs among travellers by land, and also —a modern phenomenon—in the air. The second group may be called Admission into a new sphere of life. Examples are given of initiation ceremonies among merchants and tradesmen, craftsmen, students, school children, peasants, seamen, fishermen etc. A short survey of such ceremonies as practised among primitive peoples is given here. As the word hanse which was common in England during the middle ages has become obsolete in modern English, the Danish term house (verb) has been used in the translation, meaning to pay a fee (or standing, footing) on entering a company, etc.

ADMISSION INTO THE RANKS OF THE WIDELY TRAVELLED

I. BAPTISM AT SEA A. Baptism at Geographical Lines 1. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

The list of sources which have been used for this book is arranged chronologi­ cally in the following groups: a. baptism at the Line (L+the year), b. baptism at the Tropic of Cancer (T+the year), c. baptism at the Polar circle (P+the year) and d. baptism at the Date line. When it has not been possible to date the evidence exactly the approximate date which may be presumed is given (c.= circa). In some cases it has not been possible to consult the original edition, there­ fore other editions have had to be used. Only a few typical and important de­ scriptions are quoted. With regard to material which is to be found in maritime dictionaries and encyclopedias only that which can really be said to contribute anything of value has been used. Dictionaries often seem to copy one another and rarely have any documentary value1.

a. Baptism at the Line

L1529. Probably the first description we have of baptism at the Line is that by the brothers Parmentier, during their voyages on board a French ship, 1529 (Chr. Schefer: Le Discours de la Navigation de Jean et Raoul Parmentier ... (Recueil de Voyages et de Documents 4, Paris 1883), 20; cf. A. Jal: Glossaire nautique (Paris 1848), 467): “Le mardy Xlmc jour de may. au matin, furent faits chevaliers environ cinquante de nos gens, et curent chacun 1'acollec en passant sous 1’equateur, et fut chantee la messe de Salve sancia parens a nottes pour la solennile du jour, et prismes un grand poisson nomme alba­ core el des bonnites, dont fut fait chaudiere pour le souper en solennisant la feste de la chevalerie".

L1557. Johannes Lerius (Jean de Lery) gives us another early account of baptism at the Line. In 1557 he crossed the equator aboard a French ship, on his way to Brasil (Histoire d’un voyage faict en la terre du Bresil (La Rochelle 1578); Th. Bry: Drittes Buch America (Frankf. 1593), 110 seq.; De seer aanmerklijke ... Reys ... na Brazil in America, in P. van der Aa: Naaukeurige versameling der ... Zee- en Landreysen XV (Leiden 1706), 23):

“Als wir sind vnder dem Giirtel der gantzen Welt hingefahren, haben die Schiffleute mit sonderlicher Solennitet jhren Gebrauch vnd Gewohnheit mit den Hanseln begangen, Sie bunden die jenige, wclche zuvor nie da gewesen, vnnd die zEquinoctiallinien vbersegelt

16 hatten, an Scihel, licssen sic von den Schiffcn hinundcr, diincktcn sic vndcr das Wasser. Sie schwcrtzten auch Thiicher an cinem Kessel, vnd machtcn jhnen das Angesicht daniit schwartz. Wcr sich wil mil Gelt abldsen, vnd den Schiffleuten elwas verehren, dcr ist hicrvon gefreyhet. Auff solcheweiss werden nun dieselbigen zu cinem ewigen gediichtnuss gchanselt, wic dann auch mir dazumal widerfahren ist".

L1598. Levinus Hulsius: Ander Schiffart In die Orientalische Indicn, So die Holliindische Schicff .. 1598 .. vcrrichtet (Frankf. 1615), 4 (Dutch; issue of wine). L1612. From an account in 1612 it appears that baptism at the Line was appa­ rently a regular thing on board French ships (Claude d'Abbeville: Histoire de la Mission des pores Capucins (Paris 1614), fol. 51): "Diev nous fit la grace de passer ccste lignc asscz facilcment, & fort heureusement, les calmes n’estans pas encore venus. Ceux qui ne 1’auoient encore passdc, lors qu’ils furent sous icellc obseruerent tous ccste loy irreuocable, par laquclle vous cstes arrouse d'vn beau seau d’eau de la mer que 1'on vous iette sur la teste pour la premiere fois que vous vous trouuez cn cc ddtroit, ou bien que soycz plongd par trois fois la teste cn fond dedans vne barrique pleine de la mesme eau, receuant aussi tost le mot que I’on vous donne pour sauuegarde i 1’aduenir, auec promessc de ne le reuelcr iamais, sinon A ceux qui la passcront auec ccste ceremonie marine, & particuliere solemnite.”

L1620. De Ramspoedige Scheepvaart Der Franschcn naar Oostindien, Onder .. Augustyn van Beaulieu .. (A’dam 1669), 6; also Memoires dv Voyage avx Indes Orientates .. in Melch. Thevenot: Relations de divers Voyages Curieux I (Paris 1696), 43 (French; sousing with water).

L c. 1640. Coppier's account on board a French ship about 1640 (G. Coppier: Histoire et Voyages des Indes occidentales (Lyon 1645), 47 scq.): "le vous diray. Messieurs, comme e'est vne regie infaillible d tous ceux qui n’ont iamais passe les susdits Ras Blanchards, Pic de Cannaries, & Cap de Blanc, ou Tropiques, & Equinoxe, d’estre en chacun de ccs lieux ondoyes, ou baptises d'vnc tassee, ou see il lee d’eau de mer sur la teste nue, comme par forme de Baptesmc, fief, ou rccognoissance d Neptune, comme s'il nous calmoit la ses flots, & fauorisast de vents propices, & fauorables a y cingler, & les passer sans aucun danger, bien qu’ils soyent dangereux en lours approches, & vcritablement espineux; & ie trouuc que ces susdittes ceremonies sont plustost vn effect d’Idolatrie, qu’vn recours a la Diuinit£, ayans accoustume de les practiquer, pour sc ressouuenir d’y auoir passe, en y apportant mesmes plusieurs grandes ceremonies, plustost niaiseries, lesquelles toutesfois ie ne dois obmettre, pour cstre icclles comme de 1’cssence d’vne longue nauigation; me faschant ncantmoins de noircir la blancheur de ce papier de semblables extrauagances, lesquelles ne visent, & ne tendent toutes quo pour donner du plaisir aux spectateurs, comme Pilottes, & Mattelots, ausquels il faut faire des presens, de quelques bouteillcs d’eaux de vie, ou d’autres boissons corrosiucs, qui toutesfois par apres nous sont disperses par brigades, ou plats, esquels on est, sept es Nauircs Francois, & que cinq es Anglois, trois Flamans, & autres, Nul ne s’en pout exempter, non pas mesmes le Capitainc du bord, ny les Pilottes, sinon qu’ils y eussent pass6; oil lors du susdit Baptesme, 1’on nous fait vne noirccur au milieu du front, en forme de croix, & ce du suif du cul de la poisle; & pour ceux qui ne font quelquc liberality, en ces occurrences, ils sont comme presque noyds d’eau sur le Tillac, oil 1'on leur lie & attache le bras auec vne cordellettc, ou fil de carret, quo i’on leur tire en suitlc par vne petite pollie, sans faire toutesfois du mal, &

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alors vn Mattclot, Icquel cst montd sur I’affut d'vn Canon, leur verse vn plein bidon d’eau de mer, gouttc 4 goutte dans 1c bras gauche; cc qui vient a distiller le long d’iccluy iusques au cocur, & a 1’hcure 1’cau si semble, leur comme congelie le sang dans leurs veines, ce qui leur cause des frissons, & certains tremoussemens sympathiques de tous leurs membres, & tels, que ie ne vous les sqaurois vcrballement exprimer; quoy que par vn effect de ma curiosild, i’aye voulu subir ccltc peine; e’est pourquoy, ie ne scaurois consacrer 4 l oubly, ce susdit proccdd, quoy que risible, & du tout inepte...” L1642. Th. C. Hohn: Kort Beskrifning om Provincien Nya Swerige uti America (Stockh. 1702), 63 (Swedish traveller mentions baptism). L1663. Voyage de Madagascar .. par M. de De V.. (Paris 1722), 57 seq. (French; baptism on deck).

L1665. S.d.R. (=Urbain Souchu de Rennefort): Memoires pour servir a 1’histoire des Indes orientales (Paris 1688), 31 seq. (French; baptism on deck).

L1666. A.-O. OExmelin (=Exmelin; also called Esquemelin): Histoire des Aventuriers Flibustiers I (Paris 1744), 6 seq. L1667. Michel Ange de Gattine & Denys de Carli de Plaisance: Relation cvrievse et nouvelle d’un voyage de Congo.. 1666. & 1667. (Lyon 1680), 10 seq.; Michael Angelo & Denis de Carli: A Curious and Exact Account of a Voyage to Congo.. (Coll, of Voyages 1 (London 1704), 614); P. Dionysio Carli von Placenz: Der nach Venedig iiberbrachte Mohr (Augsburg 1692), 18 (Portu­ guese; ducking from the yard-arm).

LI669. Les Voyages Faits par le Sievr D. B. (=Dubois) aux Isles Dauphine ou Madagascar .. 1669. 70. 71. & 72. (Paris 1674), 27 seq.; cf. The Voyages made by the Sieur D. B. to .. Madagascar .. (ed. Pasfield Oliver, London 1897), 18 seq. (French: baptism on deck). L16701. Barlow's Journal of his Life at Sea (ed. Basil Lubbock) I (London 1934), 181 (English; paying drinks). L1670". Frid. Bollingii Oost-lndiske Reise-bog .. (Cop. 1678), 14 seq. (Dutch: thanksgivings). L1670UI. Jens Mortenson Sveigaards Ostindiske Reisis Beskrivelse, MS. Ny kgl. Samling 134.2°, Royal Library, Copenhagen, fol. 20 (Dutch; issue of wine).

L1678. In his dictionary for gentlemen the Frenchman Guillet in 1678 writes as follows about French baptism on the Line (Georges Guillet de Saint-George: Les Arts de 1’Homme d’Epee (The Hague 1680), 323 seq.; cf. the English adaption, The Gentleman’s Dictionary (London 1705), Part 3, s.v. e;Lin

18 Aubin in his Dictionaire de Marine (A’dam 1702), 64, s.v. Bateme, takes his description from Guillet):

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“C'est une cdrdmonic prophane et ridicule; mais d'un usage inviolable parmy les Gens de 1'Equippage, qui la pratiquent indispcnsablcmcnt dans la routte des Indes Orientales, sur ccux qui pour la premidre-fois de leur vie vont passer 1c Tropiquc on la Lignc. Chaquc Nation la pratique divorcement: & mesme les Equippagcs d’unc mesme Nation 1’excerccnt cn differentes manteres. Voicy une des plus communes parmy les Equippagcs Francois. Pour prdparatif, on range sur le Tillac, tant A Stribord, qu’A Basbord, des bailies plcincs d'eau de la Mor, & borddes par les Matelots ranges en deux hayes, chacun un Scau A la main. Le Maistre-Valet vient au pied du grand Mast, le visage barboiiilte, & le corps revestu de quan­ tity de Cables routes tout autour. dont il y cn a mesme quelques-uns qui luy pendent des bras. 11 est suivy de cinq ou six Matclots dquippds de mesme, & tient entre les mains quelque Livre de Marine, pour representer le Livre des Evangils, & d’ordinairc c'est 1’Hidrographie du pcrc Fournier, le Flambeau de la Navigation, ou le Journal du Pilote. L'Homme qui doit estre baptist se vient mettre a genoux devant le Maistrc-valct, qui luy faisant mettre la main sur cc pretendu Evcngile, 1'oblige d jurer solemnellenient & de bonne foy, quo tout autant de fois qu’il se prcsentcra une occasion de baptiser d’autres gens, il excrccra sur eux les mesmes Ceremonies qu'on va exercer sur luy; sans qu'il luy vienne jamais dans la pensce de les exempter. Apres avoir fait cc serment, 1'homme qui doit estre baptist, se leve, & marchant vers 1'avant du vaisseau entre les rangs des bailies & des gens de 1'Equippage qui 1'attendent avec des seaux tout pleins, il essuyc ccdt oragc, & re?oit ainsi le baptesme.”

L16S2. Jeront Merolla da Sorrento: A Voyage to Congo in Coll, of Voyages I (London 1704), 658 (Portuguese; ducking from the yard-arm).

L16S5. (Guy Tachard:) Voyage de Siam des peres jcsuites (London 1686), 46 seq.; de Choisy: Journal du voyage de Siam Fait en 1685 & 1686 (ed. M. Garfon, Paris 1930), 26 seq, (French; baptism on deck).

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L16901. (Claude Michel Pouchot de Chantassin:) Relation du Voyage et Retour des Indes Orientales .. 1690. & 1691 .. (Paris 1693), 41 seq.; (Abraham Du­ quesne jun.:) A New Voyage to the East Indies in the Years 1690 and 1691

(London 1696), 26 (French). L169011. A general account of baptism at the Line aboard French ships is given in 1690 by the Italian geographer and historian Vicenza Maria Coronelli; the beginning seems to be borrowed from Guillet (cf. LI678) (Atlante Veneto I (Venice 1690), 89): “Superstitiosa, d’altra parte, profana, ed in certo modo ridicola e la cerimonia, che indispensabilmente osservano tutti quelli, che per la prima volta intraprendono il passaggio del Tropico, d della Linea equinottiale per andare nell’Indie Orientali. La chiamano Battesimo del Tropico, ed ogni Natione lo pratica diversamente; anzi li Convogli d’una medesima Natione 1’essercitano in diversi modi. Noi ne riportaremo qui un solo, che d il piu commune fra li Franccsi. Collocano sopra il Ponte del Vascello un gran Mastello d’aqua, all’intorno del quale li Marinari stanno disposti con una secchia piena alia mano. Il Vice Capitano si porta al piede dell’Albero maggiore col viso inviluppato, ed il corpo coperto da una quantity di corde, che attorniandolo tutto, molte gli pendono dalle braccia; ed in capo tiene una lunga berretta. Lo seguono cinque, d sei Marinari con una Schiavina sopra le spalle; tiene egli

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in sue mani il Portolano, 6 altro Libro di Marina, c gli altri con padellc, e sccchie stanno pronti per solcnnizzarc con lo strepito la fonlionc. Posti poi que' Passaggieri, che non hanno piii fatto quel viaggio sopra ad un legno, che altraversa il Mastello pieno d'acqua; il Vice Capilano col Libro alia mano fit la funtione del superstitioso Battesimo, e li Marinari la solcnnizano col ripcrcuotimcnto dcllc sccchie, e padellc, spruzzando discretamente il Passaggierc con I'acqua, sc paga una buona mancia: mA s'egli va ristretto in essa, li Marinari levandogli da solto il legno, dove stA A scdcre, lo fanno cadcre ncl Mastello, e gli roversciano le sccchie picne d'acqua sopra cel corpo; ondc finisce la solcnnita con gran patimento del povero Passaggcre, persuaso di sotloporsi A cosi stravagante inventione, per godcrc, com’cssi dicono, c far godcre A tutti gli altri il viaggio felice, ed esente da tempeste c da perigli.”

L1690'n. The Voyage of Francois Leguat of Bresse to Rodriguez .. (ed. Pasfield Oliver, Hakluyt Soc. 82-83, London 1891) I, 19 seq. (Dutch; baptism on deck).

LI698. A. Zuccheili: Merckwiirdige Missions- und Reise-Beschreibung nach Congo (Frankf. 1715), 75 seq. (Portuguese; ducking from the yard-arm). L17011. P. de Tartre in Lettres edifiantes III (Paris 1713), 51 (French; baptism on deck). L1701". Curiositez de la Nature et de 1’Art, Aportees dans deux Voyages des Indes (Paris 1703), 48 (French).

LI7021. The Journal of Francis Rogers, in Bruce S. Ingram: Three Sea Journals of Stuart Times (London 1936), 152 seq. (English; ducking from the yard-arm). LI7021'. Joh. Casp. Schillinger: Ost-Indianische Reise-Beschreibung, in J. Stocklein: Der neue Welt Bott I, 4 (Augsburg-Wien 1726), 99 (French: ducking into the sea). L1702UI. Voyage du Sieur Luillier aux Grandes Indes (Paris 1705), 10 seq.; Will. Symson: A New Voyage to the East Indies (London 1715), 235 seq. (French: baptism on deck).

L1708. le Sieur D*** (= Durret): Voyage de Marseille a Lima (Paris 1720), 92 seq.; Louis Feuillee: Journal des Observations physiques .. Faites .. sur les Cotes Orientales de I’Amerique Meridionale I (Paris 1714), 185 seq. (French; baptism on deck). L1709. Joh. Gotti. Worm: Ost-Indian und Persianische Reisen (Dresden-Lpz. 1737), 18 seq. (Dutch; baptism on deck). L1712. M. Frezier: Relation du Voyage de la Mer du Sud I (A'dam 1717), 25 (French; baptism on deck).

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L1713. Ippolito Desideri: An Account of Tibet .. 1712-1727 (cd. F. de Filippi, London 1937), 54 seq. (Portuguese; ducking from the yard-arm). L.1714. La Barbinais le Gentil: Nouveau Voyage au tour du Monde I (A’dam 1728), 7 seq. (French; baptism on deck).

LI721. Pere Jacques, in Lettres edifiantes XVI (Paris 1724), 4 (French; baptism on deck). L1723. Brother Michel, in J. Stbcklein: Der ncue Welt-Bott XXI, 70 (Spanish).

L17251. Der Konigl. Damschen Missionarien aus Ost-Indien eingesandte Ausfiihrlichen Berichten 11 Theil (Hallische Bcrichte) (Halle 1729), 548 (English; paying hanse).

LI72511. J. Gottfr. Schnabel: Insel Felsenburg (=Gisander: Wundcrliche Fata einiger See-Fahrer .. (Nordhausen 1731)), 88 seq. (Dutch; fictitious).

L1726. Jacq. Savory des Bruslons: Dictionnaire universe! de Commerce I (A’dam 1726). 263 seq.; repeated in the edition of 1741, I, 854 seq.; taken over into Postletwayt's English version. The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Com­ merce 1 (London 1751), 213 (French; baptism on deck).

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L1727. Guill. (=William) Smith: Nouveau Voyage de Guinee II (Paris 1751), 235 (English: paying “le droit").

L1730. Pere Chome, in Lettres edifiantes XXII (Paris 1736), 378 (French). L17461. In 1746 the Count of St.-Malo crossed the Line aboard a French ship ((Courte de la Blanchardiere:) A Voyage to Peru; Performed by the Conde of St. Malo .. (London 1753), 30 seq.): “On Saturday the 21st of January, the day after our crossing the line, those of the crew, who had never passed it before, were obliged to undergo a rough kind of second baptism; not even the captain himself can plead an exemption, nor is even a dispensation to be pur­ chased with either liquor or money; so that I, among the rest was obliged to submit to it. The boatswain and his mates, after several antick ceremonies, fastened a line from one end of the quarter deck to the other, for the officers, and another on the middle deck for the foremast-men; they then tie the thumb of the right-hand to that line, after which some, sea water is poured down the sleeve: The ceremony is closed by an officer, who comes with a plate to the new baptized, who must not refuse to throw in some money. The best way, after being set at liberty, is to withdraw; for I remember that our third lieutenant, after undergoing the ceremony, was for entertaining himself with seeing it performed on the sailors; but he paid for his curiosity, being in an instant assaulted on all sides with buckets of sea water."

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L1746". (C. F. Noble:) A Voyage to the East Indies (London 1762), 7 (English; paying money or drinks).

LI746111. Carl Johan Gethe, in Israel Reinius: Journal hallen pa resan til Canton .. (Helsingfors 1939), 61 (Swedish; baptism on deck). L1747. Will. Wills: A Narrative of the Very Extraordinary Adventures and Sufferings (London 1751), II seq. (English; ducking from the yard-arm).

L17511. Pehr Osbeck: Dagbok bfver en Ostindisk Resa Aren 1750. 1751. 1752. (Stockholm 1757), 74 (Swedish: baptism on deck). L1751n. Diderot & d'Alembert: Encyclopedic II (Paris 1751), 65,—compiled

from Guillet and Aubin (L1678) and perhaps Coronelli (L169011) (French; baptism on deck).

L1752. Baptism on board a Prussian Chinaman, the »Burg van Emden«, in 1752, is described by J. F. Michel in his journal (Journal du Voyage a la Chine, 53 seq.; microphoto lent by Fr. Jorberg, Berlin): “Premierement 1c Dind fait, !e Capitaine ordonnat, qu’on poseroit une table au Gaillard avec 3 chaises et une grande Cuvelle remplie d'Eau de la Mer tenant la table, qu’on y mit une assiette du Sei, avec des pelits niorceaux de biscuit, ordonnant au Cannonnier, d’apretter une piece de Cannon, pour Saluer le Dieu Neptune a son arrivee. Cela etant fait, le Capi­ taine fut adverti, que Monr Neptune (:sclon les fran?ais le bon homme Tropique:) etoit a Bord, le Capitaine fit dabord hisser le grand Pavilion, et fut a sa rencontre a quelques pass du Gaillard, priant Monr Neptune de venir au Gaillard, le bon homme descendit du mat de Misene avec sa suitte, il avoit la tetc Couverte d’une peaux de Moulton, au dessus une Couronnc de papier, le Visage, les mains, et les pieds noircies, une barbe des Cordes epluchees, sa robe etoit un Casacquin de Matelot tourne avec des grandes pluches en de­ hors, et sa Cinture fut une grosse Corde, une toison des petittes polies au Col, et un dard, dont on peche les bonites, et grands Poissons a la Main, ce spectre fut ainsi receu par le Capitaine, qui luy demanda ou qu’il avoit reste si longtamp, qu'il etoit bien Charme de le voire, et pourquoy il n’etait pas venu plustot, Neptune repondit fierrement, qu’il avoit eu d’autres affaires, etant prds de la table le pria de s’assoir, et luy fit presenter un goublet de vin comme aussi a ses 2 guarde Corps, egalement noircis, et le Sabre au Clair a la main, se mettants derricrc leur Prince; le Capitaine luy dit, qu’il ne douttoi.t point, que ce fut que pour les Officiers, que pour les Mattelots, le temp, le developperoit que le nombre etoit asse grand, 1’Ecrivain du vaisseau tira dabord du papier pour marquer les noms des Candidats et le mit sur la Table, sur ce le Capitaine fit venir son fils, qui fut troisieme Carga, et luy dit s’il etoit pret a promettre que jamais il ne baiseroit la femme d'un Marin, a quoy il repondit qu’ouy, allors il fut ordonne de souscrire sur le dit papier un don gratuit en favour des pauvres D'Embden. Chacun a rata de son Caracthere, allors le Capitaine Lieute­ nant luy presenta du dit Sei sur un morceau de Biscuit, qu’il falloit manger, aprds le Ca­ pitaine prit de 1’eau de Mer de la main gauche, et luy jetta sur la tele, en se tournant le Ca­ pitaine prit une Gamelie de bois, et la renversa sur le nouveau Baptist, disant si vous etes Vitieu vous pouvds le rester, allors voulant senfuire, de crainte d’etre mouilld d'avantage, en allant a la Chambre du Capitaine, il recut encore un Grand Seau d'eau de la Mer sur le Corp qu'il fut moui!16 de pied en Cappe, par les Mattelots pour les postes sur la Chambre

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du Capitainc, mais sc trouvant mouilli jusqu’a la Chemise, il prit la resolution de prendre revange sur les autres nouveaux Baptiste, quitta Phabit, prit un Scau ct sc mit en Oeuvre a mouiller touts les Officicrs qui revinrent de la Ccrcmonie, Chacun Suivit cct cxcemplc a son tour, de sortc qu’on sc trouvat dans une cspccc de Deluge ct Chacun subit les dittos Ceremonies, cy devans Marqudcs, les quelles ont durdes assd longtcmp puisque il y eurent 86 personnes. tant officicrs, que Mattclots qui furent obliges a paicr cc dit tribut, les pauvres d'Embden n'en scront ccrtainement pas fachte, parcequc 1c moindre des Mattclots n'a pas manqud d'etre si genereux que de Souscrirc pour un florin argent d'Oostfrisc, ainsi que scion la Calculation prise, la sommc monte a prte de 200 florins, paiablc avec la Grace de Dicu, a noire heurcux rclour, au dcssus des dito 86 personnes il y eurent encore 7 garcons, qui paicrent 1c tribut on passants dessous les bancs de la politic chalouppc qui pour son baptemc fut rcmplic d'Eau, il restat allors de rcccvoir 1c tribut de Ccluy, qui fit 1c rolle de Neptune, cc fut un vicux Mattclot qui n'avoit ccpcndent jamais passd la Lignc, il crut par sa masquerade s'excmpter, mais son Rcgne finissant avec les Ceremonies achevdcs, on tombit avec de leau sur luy, qu'il fut plus mouilld que les autres.”

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L1760. Will. Spavens: The Seaman’s Narrative (London 1796), 127 seq. (English; ducking from the yard-arm).

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L1761. En islandsk Eventyrer Ami Magnussons Optegnelser (MemBr. XXV111, 1918), 76 (Danish; old man from the Line.)

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L1763. Pernetty gives a very detailed description of the ceremony on board a French ship bound for the Falkland Islands in 1763 (Dom Pernetty: Histoire d'un Voyage aux Isles Malouines, Fait en 1763 & 1764 (Paris 1770), 108 seq.): ”Ce sont les Maitres, les Contremaiires & les Matelots, qui ont ddjA passd la ligne, qui baptisent sans distinction de grade, de sexe & de qualitd, tous les nouveaux Navigateurs. Ils se donnent un Prteident pour la edremonie, & ils 1'appcllent le bonhomme la Ligne. 11 etoit pres de sept hcures, & nous clions i souper, lorsque nous entendimes elaquer un fouet qui nous annonija I'arrivde du courier du Bonhomme la Ligne; ce courier dtoit le mailre Canotier, & on 1'avoit habilld trte-proprement.” (He appears like a sori of horse with two heads, made of cardboard, guncarriages and cloth. He delivers a letter, in which the Bonhomme promises lo come on board; the messenger and his horse get some wine, and the crew arranges a ball. The next day,—) “Le jour de la fete se celebra avec solemnite; on commenga par disposer sur le gaillard d'arriere une baignoire pleinc d’eau de mer & des seaux; ensuite on tendit des deux cdtds du vaisseau une de ccs cordes qui scrl A jelter la sonde, & qu’on nomme la ligne. On plaga aupres de 1’cscalier qui descend A la chambre, un banc couverl du pavois, qui avoit servi, la vcillc de caparagon a la monture du courier; & 1’on disposa ainsi une espece de throne, au Prteident de la ligne, A son Chancelier & au Vicaire qui devoit administrer le bapteme. Tous ces preparatifs achevte, on battit du tambourin, pour assembler tout le monde sur le gaillard. Quand 1’equipagc fut reuni, on demanda de la grande hune, avec un porte-voix; Comment nomme-l-on le navire que je vois la-bas dans mes parages? on le nomme I'Aigle, repondil le Capitaine.—Qui le commande7—M. le Chevalier de Bougainville.—J'en suis charme: je le verrai avec plaisir dans ma societe, avec les ceremonies accoutumees. Je reQus hier de ses nouvelles, & je vais ltd en marquer ma satisfaction en descendant dans son navire avec toute ma Cour. Dans le moment, parut un Matelot ayant pour tout habillement une culotte gaudronnee & sur les epaules une peau de mouton avec sa laine, le visage barbouille de rouge & de jaune par placards, un bonnet sur la tete surmontd de deux cornes de boeuf & parseme de plumes de dindes & de poules; la poitrine, les bras, le ventre & les

23 jambcs dgalcmcnt cnluminds de coulcurs ddtrempdes d I’huile, & le menton convert d’une grande moustache. Cc Matelot ainsi accoutre descendit de la grande hune, ayant une chaine de for autour du corps, en fa^on de ccinturc. Six Mousses le prdeddoient nuds, points de jaune & de rouge depuis les pieds jusqu’a la tete, les uns par placards, les autres par bandes croisees d la maniere des Sauvages. Arri­ ves sur le gaillard, le Matelot les arrangea, leur fit metlre le pouce sur la corde tendue, & les contraignit de danscr, au son du tambourin, pendant un demiquart d’heure. Ils s'approchcrent ensuite de la baignoire, & le matclot leur jetta quelque seaux d’eau sur la tete. Alors on annon^a la descente du Seigneur President de la Ligne, par des haricots blancs que 1’on jetta cn guise de dragees, de la grande hune sur le gaillard. Le Bonhomme la Ligne prit la meme route que le Matclot & les Mousses; il descendit lentement & majesteusement. Sa Cour etoit composec du second Maitre, des Contremaitres, du Pilote & du Canonier. Cclui qui jouoit cc premier role etoit le premier Maitre. 11 etoit couvert de peaux blanches de mouton avec leur lainc, cousues ensemble pour former un habillement d’une seule piece. Son bonnet de meme dtoffe lui desccndoit jusques sur les yeux. Un paquet d’etoupes melees avec la lainc lui servoit de perruque & de barbe. Il avoit un nez postiche de bois peint. En guise de cordon, il portoit d’une epaule d 1’autre un chapelet de pommes de racage, grosses comme des ceufs d’oies. Les gens de sa suite 6toient affubles a-peu-pres de meme. L'un portoit une masse ou casse-tete a la Sauvage; 1’autre un arc, celui-la une hache, celui-ci un calumet. Auprds du President etoit son Chancelier, & il tenoit son sceptre & la main. Le Maitre Canotier, habille cn femme & fard6 avec du gros rouge a I’huile, se tenoit aupres du Bonhomme qui I’appclloit sa fille. Le Vicaire A son cote etoit vetu d’une espece de robe de toile gaudronnee; une corde grosse comme le pouce, lui servoit de ceinture. Il portoit un bonnet quarrd de carton noirci, un masque de meme, une (Stole de toile peinte en rouge, & tenoit un livre d la main. Quatre Mousses 1’environnoient, & portoient un encensoir, un rechaut, un arc, & un bassin plein d’eau de mer pour servir au bapteme. Tout l’6quipage etant rassembie, le President s’adressa au Commandant: Soyez le bien venu, dit-U, M. le Chevalier, excusez-moi si je ne vous fais pas de longs compUmens: j'ai la poitrine si foible, qu'a peine puis-je parler. N 'en soyez pas surpris: je suis age de sept mille cent soixante-trois ans: j'ai charge mon Secretaire d'ecrire, & mon Chancelier de parler pour moi. Je suis descendu de mon Palais exprds pour vous recevoir dans ma societe. J'espere que vous ne ferez pas difficulte de vous soumettre a la ceremonie du bapteme, usitee dans ces parages. M. de Bougainville prit la lettre, la lut & applaudit au compliment; il salua en­ suite la fille du Bonhomme; & apres 1’avoir felicite d’avoir une fille si jolie, il s’approcha de la corde tendue. Les nouveaux Officiers l’y accompagnerent, & le President alia s’asseoir sur son throne pavoise, ainsi que sa fille & son Chancelier. Les Officiers lierent le pouce de la main gauche de M. de Bougainville sur la ligne avec un ruban rouge; & nous nous platjames a sa suite.. Le Vicaire affectant un air grave, & son livre a la main, s’approcha de M. de Bougainville. Il etoit accompagne d’un Mousse qui portoit une assietle couverte d’une serviette plide, pour recevoir le tribut qu’ils appellent rachat: car on sc contente de verser un peu d’eau de mer sur la tete de ceux qui se rachetent, au lieu de les plonger dans la mer, comme 1’on fait quand on donne la cale. Au reste, on ne plonge plus maintenant dans la mer pour donner le bapteme, parce qu'on a fait re­ flexion que cette ceremonie deviendroit tres-dangereuse a cause des Requins qui pourroient roder autour du navire, & emporter une cuisse ou un bras a celui qui auroit le malheur d’en etre mordu. On a substitue d ce bapteme celui de la baignoire, sur le bord de laquelle on fait asseoir celui qui ne s’est pas rachetd, ou a qui on vent jouer quelque tour. Le Vicaire s’approcha de M. de Bougainville & lui dit: “Promettez-vous d'etre bon citoyen, & pour cet effet de travailler d la population, & de ne pas laisser chomer les filles, toutes les fois que 1’occasion s'en presentera?—Je le promets.—Promettez-vous de ne jamais coucher avec la femme d’un Marin?—Je le promets.—Promettez-vous de faire prendre les memes engagemens, & d'employer les memes ceremonies, d regard de ceux qui n'auront pas passe la Ligne, quand ils s’y trouveront avec vous?—Je le promets.—Mettez done la main sur ce livre sacre en temoignage de vos engagemens.” M. de Bougainville toucha alors une estampe, qui representoit un Genie & une jeune fille qui s’embrassent tendrement. Au bas de cette estampe 6toit ecrit: Quis mihi det te fratrem meum sugentem ubera matris mete, & inveniam te foris, & deosculer te. Cantique des Cantiques, ch. 8. Le Vicaire alia rendre compte

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au President des cngagemcns de M. de Bougainville; & 1c Bonhommc rdpondit; Dignus est intrare in nostro docto corpore; adniittatur. Alors le Vicaire retourna A M. de Bougain­ ville & lui dit: “Le President de la Ligno vous juge digne d’etre admis dans la socidtd dont il est le Chef, & m'a chargd de vous y recevoir par I'administration de son baptemc. Comment vous nommcz vous ?” Louis, rtpondit M. de Bougainville. H6 bien; Ego, nomine Reverendissimi Domini Domine & Serenissinti Presidentis /Equatoris, te, Ludovice, admitto in societate ejus. En prononcant ces paroles, il lui versa sur la tele quclqucs gouttes d’eau de mer. On ddlia le pouce de M. de Bougainville, qui mit de 1'argent dans 1’assiettc sous la serviette, on retire le baton, & le Vicaire 1'encensa. On passa A M. de Nervillc A qui le Vicaire fit les memes questions, & ainsi succcssivement aux autres Passagers & Officicrs avcc les memes cirtmonies. Quand on fut parvenu A un Garde-Marine, assez mauvais sujet & hai de tout le monde, le Vicaire lui dit que le President ordonnoit, qu’il fut re(?u avcc toutes les edrdmonies en usage. En consequence, il lui posa un bout de son dtole sur la tctc, marmotta quclqucs paroles, & puis lui fit baiscr cctte dtole peinte A 1’huile. On le ddlia de la ligne, & on le fit asseoir sur un baton pos6 transversalcment sur le bagne. A peine s’y fut-il placd, que le Pilotin tomba dans 1’cau. On avoit de plus ajustd dans la bagne un lacct; de maniere que, quand le Cathicumene tomba, il sc trouva saisi par le milieu du corps & assujetti sans pouvoir sc ddbarrasser. On profita de sa situation pour lui barbouiller le visage de noir & de rouge. On lui versa au moins cinq ou six seaux d’eau sur la tete, puis on le laissa allcr. Onen vint ensuite A deux Demoiselles Acadiennes, & le Vicaire leur demanda naivcmcnt si elles 6toient pucelles? Elies rdpondirent, oui. Promettcz-vous, ajouta-t-il de ne pas manquer A la foi conjugale, si vous dpousez un Marin? La promesse faitc, il la baptisa A-peupres comme nous. La soeur de cctte Demoiselle s’&oit cach& pour n'etre pas exposde A subir cctte edrdmonie. On la trouva, & on voulut la contraindre A venir recevoir le baptemc; mais le Vicaire, averti qu’il y avoit des raisons, pour qu'elle ne s’exposat pas au baptemc de 1'eau, lui dit qu’il sc contenteroit de lui mettre des mouches au visage. Elie sc prdsenta, & il tint parole. Deux femmes marines ne furent pas baptisces, parce que lours enfans en bas age, & qu'elles ne pouvoient abandonner, jettoient des cris par la pour que leur inspiroient les figures grotesques des gens de la suite du President de la Ligne. Quelques Passagers furent ensuite baptises & barbouillcs de noir & de rouge, mais on ne les fit pas placer sur la bagne, parce qu’ayanl commence A jetter quelques seaux d’eau sur les baptises, ceux-ci pour avoir leur revanche en jetterent aux Matelots. Ceux qui avoient etc mouilles, voulurent mouiller les autres; le desordre augmenta, & tous ceux qui se trouverent sur le gaillard furent aussi humectes que s'ils 6toienl tombes dans la mer. Ainsi finit ordinairement cetle farce, & on est encore trop hereux quand on en est quitte pour de 1’argent & quelques seaux d’eau.”

LI 766. Hm. Missionarii Gerickens merkwiirdige Seereise von London nach Ceylon .. 1766 und 1767 (Halle 1773), 49 {English; baptism on deck).

L17681. (Benardin de Saint-Pierre:) Voyage a 1’lsle de France (Neuchatel 1773), 29 seq. (French; baptism on deck).

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L176811. Journal of .. Sir Joseph Banks during Captain Cook’s First Voyage .. in 1768-71 (ed. Jos. D. Hooker, London 1896), 18 seq.; W. J. L. Wharton: Captain Cook’s Journal during His First Voyage (London 1893), 14 (English; ducking from the yard-arm).

L17691. Wm. Hickey: Memoirs (ed. A. Spencer) I (London, n. d.), 150 (English; ducking and shaving).

25 L1769". John Macdonald: Travels in Various Parts of Europe, Asia and Africa (1792), reprinted in Memoirs of an Eighteenth-Century Footman (London 1927), 100 seq. (English: ducking from the yard-arm).

L1772. George Forster: A Voyage round the World .. I (London 1777), 48 seq. (English; ducking from the yard-arm). L1776. James Cook: A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean I (1785), 34 (English; ducking). L178I. Leap. Heinr. Schomburg: Reise von Kopenhagen nach Lissabon, dem Vorgebiirge der guten Hoffnung .. (Odense 1784), 169 seq. (Danish; the Man from the Line). LI784. In 1784 the brothers Daniell made an interesting voyage, on board an English ship, to China and India, where they made a large series of drawings which later appeared as aquatints. They bring among those a picture of the baptism with the following description (77;. & Will. Daniell: A Picturesque Voyage to India .. (London 1810), text to plate 4; cf. James Orange: The Chater Collection (London 1924), 502): “The day on which a ship crosses the line is commemorated by a humorous nautical cere­ mony.. At noon, the arrival of Neptune is announced; the marine deity is personated by a sailor, bearing in his hand the trident, and seated in a car, which is no other than a water tub, drawn by some of his companions in the character of Tritons. The appearance of Nep­ tune and his retinue is highly grotesque; their oozy locks are composed of long, half-wet swabs, bespattered with oatmeal, and their faces are painted with red ochre. On approach­ ing the captain, Neptune demands the object of his voyage, and receives the customary tribute from those who have not crossed the line, and choose to evade the ceremony of ducking and shaving. Meanwhile the intended victim, including such as have not obtained their freedom from Neptune, are confirmed between the decks, from whence they are one by one dragged to execution. A large grog-tub, filled with salt water, is placed on one of the gangways, and over it is laid a plank, on which the novice is seated, whilst the barber besmears his face with a composition of tar and grease, and then scrapes it with part of an iron hoop instead of a razor. On the signal being given the plank is withdrawn, when the unfortunate wretch is immersed in water; from which he is not suffered to escape till he is menaced with suffocation. In the plate, Neptune appears with all his retinue, among whom the barber is conspicuous. The ceremony of shaving and ducking is sometimes fol­ lowed by another, in which the voyager, suspended from the yard-arm, performs an ablu­ tion in the sea.”

LI785. George Dixon: A Voyage round the World (London 1789), 29 seq. (Eng­ lish; baptism on deck). L1787. Jejfrey Baron de Raigersfeld: The Life of a Sea Officer (ed. L. C. Carr Laughton, London 1929), 44 (English; Neptune). L1788. Briefe des Herrn von Wurmb und .. von Wollzogen auf ihren Reisen nach Afrika (Gotha 1794), 291 (Dutch').

26 LI 789. The Life and Adventures of John Nicol. Mariner (ed. Gordon Grant, Lon­ don 1937), 139 seq.; cf. Ell. Snow: The Sea, the Ship and the Sailor (London 1925), 142 (English: Neptune). Li790. George Barrington: An Account of a Voyage to New South Wales (Lon­ don 1810), 88 seq. (English; Neptune). Baptism on convict ships usually was performed on the voyage home, cf. John Campbell: Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope (London, n.d.), 232.

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L c. 1790'. Gentleman's Magazine. London 1792, I, 412 seq.; reprinted in The Gentleman’s Magazine Library I (London 1890), 178 seq. (English; Neptune).

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L c. 179O11. Joh. Joach. Stahelin: Abentheuerliche, doch wahrhafte Schicksale zu Wasser und zu Lande (St. Gallen 1811), 143 seq. (Dutch; Neptune). L17921. A Mariner of England. An Account of the Career of William Richardson (ed. Spencer Childers, London 1908), 78 (Belgian-Genoese-French-Scotch ship; Neptune).

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L179211. George Staunton: An Authentic Account of an Embassy .. to the Em­ peror of China I (London 1797), 145 seq.; cf. Aeneas Anderson: Erzahlung der Reise und Gesandtschaft des Lord Macartney nach China (Erlangen 1795), 24 (English; Neptune).

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L1792'". T. Twining: Travels in India (London 1893), 29 seq. (English; Neptune).

LI792IV. Edm. Fanning: Voyages & Discoveries in the South Sea 1792-1832 (Salem 1924), 6 seq. (American; Neptune).

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L1796. J. H. Roding: Allgemeines Wbrterbuch der Marine II (Hbg. 1796), s.v. Taufe. L1801. Baptism on board a Danish Chinaman in 1801 (Niels Martin Nielsen: Sterdeles Hiendelser og mterkelige Tildragelser med en dansk Somand (Cop. 1821). 7 seq., 16 seq.): “Efter gammel Skik, blev der om Aftenen, for vi passerede Linien, holdt en Slags Lystighed. Ceremonien derved var saalcdes: en af Mandskabet forestiller en gammel Mand, der skulle komme fra Linien, (han kommer ned fra store Mers) prajer Skibet, sporger hvorfra del kommer, hvor hen det er bestemt? Den gamle Mand bliver nu ledsaget af sine fire sorte Engle hen til Kahytten, hvor han bliver imodtaget af Officcrerne; han sailter sig ned ved Bor­ det, tager Kaartet og sin Octant frem og viser paa hvilke Holder Skibet er, seer om Captainens Beslik Slemmer med hans, samt siger hvilken Cours de skal styre. Nu begyndcr Hoitideligheden fra Cobryggen; Selskabet bestaaer nu af 12 A 16 Mand, de vigtigstc Personer ere: den gamle Mand med sine Engle, Hans Wurst, en Jatger, en Bonde med sin Kone, der kommer kjorende i en Vogn; nu gaacr Toget under fuld Musik hen paa Skandsen, hvor de

27 blive meget vel imodtagne af Skibets Officcrcr. Paa denne Dag kan Hans Wurst gjore sig saa lystig som han vil: han gaaer ind i Cahylten, setter sig ved Siden af Capitainen; Officerernc give ham nu noget til Bedste for sig og sine Kammerater. Nu gaaer Jxgeren hen, skyder ct Sviin, som blivcr tillavet for Mandskabet; hvad Drikkevarerne angaaer, da er der ved denne Leilighcd ingen Mangel. Hvo der nu ei for har passeret Linien, bliver nu kaldt agter ud paa Skandscn for at honse, dernaist blive de henfort paa Cobryggen, hvor de blive dobtc i et stort Fad Vand; fra de paa Daekket staaende Fartoier, blive de overoste med Vand; Stoptougc, som ere anbragte langs Cobryggen, hindrer dem fra at lobe for ud; nu kommer Bonden tilligemed sin Kone kjorende og sailger hvad der er i Vognen. Bjornen blivcr ledet omkring af sin Herre, der griber enhver som kommer den imode fat om Benene og jumper afsted med dem, kort, enhver soger at bidrage saavidt muligt til at opmuntre sine Kammerater. Om Aftenen begyndes dcr med Dands, som vedvarer hele Natten, Matroserne dandse tilsammen med Officererne, og overall ved denne Leilighed hersker der Frihed og Liighcd; ombord hos os, varede denne Lystighed i tre Ntetter og Dage, eftersom vi havde godt Veir, samt Havblik.” (English translation: “According to an old custom, on the evening before we crossed the Line, a sort of enter­ tainment was held. The following ceremony took place: one of the crew represented an old man who was supposed to come from the Line (he came down from the main-top). He hailed the ship, asked where she was from and where bound for. Then, accompanied by his four black angels he was taken into the cabin where he was received by the ship’s officers. He sat down at the table, brought out the chart and his octant, showed what lati­ tude the ship was at and saw whether the captain’s reckoning agreed with his, then gave the course to be steered. At this point the ceremony in the waist began. There were 12-16 men taking part and the most important characters were: the old man and his angels, Hans Wurst, a huntsman, and a farmer and his wife who came driving in in a waggon. The whole procession then went aft to the quarter-deck, to the accompaniment of music, and there were received in a very friendly way by the ship’s officers. On that day Hans Wurst is allowed to behave as merrily as he will, he goes into the cabin and sits down by the cap­ tain; the officers give him good things for himself and his comrades. Then the huntsman goes aft, and shoots a pig which is prepared for the crew's dinner. As for drink, there is no lack of it upon this occasion. Those who have not before passed the Line are then called abaft on to the quarter-deck in order to pay hanse. Afterwards they are taken amidships where they are baptized in a large barrel of water, and water is poured over them from the ship's boats lying on the deck. Ropes stretched along the waist prevent them from running forward. The farmer drives up with his wife, and sells what he has in the waggon. The bear is led about by its master, grabs by the legs anyone who comes up to it, and lumbers off with him. In short everyone tries to contribute as much as possible to the general merri­ ment. In the evening dancing begins, and this goes on all night. Sailors dance with their officers, on this occasion all are equals. On board our ship these fun and games lasted three days and nights, as we had good weather and a dead calm..”) On the voyage home a garland festival (kransegilde) was held. Nielsen describes such a festival on board a Danish East Indiaman in 1805: “Under Linien holdtes Krandsegilde, denne Leeg bestod udi: at en Krands der var liig en af Laurbasr, blev forfrerdiget og baaren af 4 sorte Engler som havde blanke Sabler, hvor Krandsen blev paahtengt; den blev nu under Sang og Musik indbragt i Kahytten og ophamgt der over Bordet. Jeg haver endnu tilbage i min Erindring ... Vers af den der afsiungne Sang ... En anden Sang blev afsiungen til /Ere for Capitainen; derpaa blev drukken Skaaler og alt gik ret lystigt; Punchebollen stod paa Dtekket, hver Mand fik saa meget han vilde drikke, om Aftenen blev der dandset, Capitainen aabnede Ballet for os med Chinafarer-Menuetten, hver Mand jumpede med saa godt han kunde. De fattige bleve ei forglemte ved denne Hoitidelighed, paa en Bosse var en Seddel med denne Indskrift: “Bettenke i Gljcde, de Arme som goede.” Enhver, fra Capitainen og ned til Plyndergreven, offrede sin Gave.”

28 (English translation: “Under the Line we held a garland festival. The ceremony was as follows: a garland, like a laurel garland, was made and was brought in on the ends of naked swords, by four black angels. To the accompaniment of music and singing it was carried into the cabin where it was hung up over the table. I can still remember the ... verse of the song wc sang ... Another song was then sung in honour of the captain, after which healths were drunk and a merry time was had by all. A bowl of punch stood on the deck and every man got as much as he could drink. In the evening there was dancing, the captain opened the proceedings with the Chinaman's Minuet and every man hopped about as best he could. The poor were not forgotten on this occasion. A collecting box bore the inscription “While you are merry remember the poor and the wretched", and everyone from the captain to the man who looked after the livestock made a contribution.”)

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L18021. George Valentia, in Magazin for de allernyeste og interessanteste Reisebeskrivelser VI (Cop. 1820), 13 (English'). L1802". Extracts from the Journals of Thomas Addison, in Publ. of the Navy Records Society XX (London 1902), 339 (English; Neptune).

L18031. James Johnson: The Oriental Voyager .. 1803-6 (London 1807), 15 seq. (English; Neptune).

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LI803". A. J. von Krusenstern: Reise urn die Welt .. 1803-1806 .. auf.. Nadeshda und Newa, I (Bln. 1811), 84; G. H. von Langsdorff: Bemerkungen auf einer Reise urn die Welt .. 1803 bis 1807, 1 (Frankf. 1812), 22 seq.; cf. The Voyage of Captain Bellingshausen to the Antarctic Seas (Hakluyt 91, London 1945), 65 (Russian; Neptune).

L1806. F. G. Waldt: Scener af Somandslivet paa en Udreise til Isle de France i 1805 og 1806 (Cop. 1835), 39 seq. (Danish; the Old Man). LI808. George Little: Life on the Ocean (ed. W. Clark Russell, Boston, n.d.), 21 seq. (American; Neptune).

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L c. I8101. (G. Watson:) A Narrative of the Adventures of a Greenwich Pen­ sioner (Newcastle 1827), 24 seq. (English; Neptune). L c. 18I011. Per Asklund: Aventyr pi Kaparstrit (Stockh. 1931), 36 (English; Neptune). L1812. Charles H. Bernard in Elliot Snow: The Sea, the Ship and the Sailor (Sa­ lem 1925), 2 (American; Neptune).

L18151. Count Marchand, in La Revue de Paris, Nov. 1954, 32 (English; Neptune).

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L181511. Professor C. Smiths Dagbog paa en Reise til Congo (Kria. 1819), 49 (English; Neptune).

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L1817. W. F. Born: Mine Htendelser (Cop. 1834), 182 seq. (Norwegian; Neptune).

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LI818. Th. E. Ludvigsen: Erindringer om mine Soreiser og Livs Begivenheder (Cop. 1890), 5 seq. (Danish; the Old Man). L18191. John Campbell: Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope (London n.d.), 23 seq. (English; Neptune). L181911. The Voyage of Captain Bellingshausen to the Antarctic Seas (Hakluyt 91, London 1945), 64 seq. (Russian; baptism on deck).

L1821. John Campbell: Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope (London, n.d.), 232 (English; cf. L18191).

LI8231. Otto von Kotzebue: Reise um die Welt I (Weimar 1830), 16 (Russian; Neptune). L18231'. C. A. Bluhme, in Tilskueren Cop. 1934, II, 192 seq. (Danish; the Old Man). L18241. Henry Keppel: A Sailor’s Life under Four Sovereigns I (London 1899), 33 seq. (English; Neptune).

L182411. John Cunningham's journal, in the Mariner’s Mirror IX (London 1923), 308 seq. (English; Neptune). LI824Hl. Gordon P. Low, in Roger W. Babson: The Sea Made Men (N.Y. 1937), 51 seq. (American: Neptune).

L1824lv. M. le Baron de Bougainville: Journal de la navigation autour du globe de la fregate La Thetis .. 1824, 1825 et 1826, I (Paris 1837), 39 (French; Bonhomme). L c. 1825. (M. H. Barker:) Greenwich Hospital, a Series of Naval Sketches .. By an Old Sailor (London 1826), 175 seq. (English; Neptune; cf. L c. 18401).

LI825. John Bechervaise, who played the part of Neptune, describes baptism aboard an English ship in 1825 (Thirty-six Years of a Seafaring Life (London 1839), 146 seq.): “There were on board the ship a great number of officers and seamen, who had never yet gone South of the Tropics, consequently were to be initiated into the mysteries of crossing the Equinoctial line, and entering the dominions of Neptune; great preparations had been making since our leaving Woolwich, .. many a poor girl .. had been deprived of some part of her wardrobe, to adorn Amphitrite .. An immense grey horse hair wig, sufficiently long to reach well down the back of Neptune, had been purchased in England by subscription.

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accompanied by a venerable grey beard to sweep his aged breast: a tin crown and a trident completed the regalia. On a review of all those who previously had crossed the line, 1 was selected as Neptune.. Now reader fancy to yourself the writer of these lines with his legs and arms well blacked, his cheeks, Vermillion, short and very loose trousers, a double frilled shirt, from whose ample folds the salt water dripped plentifully, two swabs for epau­ lets, a long grey horse hair wig, a venerable beard of the same colour, a tin crown, a trident, and to complete the whole, a hoarse church yard cough.. The evening before we expected to cross the line, the lookout man reported at 8, p.m., a light ahead; presently a hoarse voice hailed “ship ahoy” which being answered by the Captain, Neptune intimated his intention to visit the ship early next morning. Accordingly early in the morning the ship was made snug, the top-sails were close reefed, courses hauled up, top gallant sails furled, a new sail was secured to the gunwale of the barge on the booms, the other edge to the hammock netting, leaving a hollow of eight feet, capable of containing an immense quan­ tity of water; into this sail the very men who were to be dipped in it, were employed in pumping and bailing water.. A gun had been dismounted on the forecastle, the carriage made into a car, on which were to sit Neptune and Amphitrite, and between them the Tri­ ton; in order to keep all secret, a sail was run across the forecastle to screen Neptune and his gang from observation. Just before the appointed time, all who were likely to undergo the dreadful operation of shaving were ordered below, the gratings put on, and a constable stationed to prevent the ascent of more than one at a time; a wise regulation, for our num­ bers were nearly equal, and had they shown fight, might have conquered; a rope was rove through a block on the main yard arm, to one end of which was secured a handspike, astride of which sat a man with his hands fastened to the rope over his head. At 10, a.m. the screen across the forecastle was withdrawn, and exposed to full view, Neptune and his followers. The Purser who had never before crossed the Equinoctial, and who beside was rather in­ clined be to miserly, applied to the Captain for his orders against shaving; hush! Mr. M— said the Captain, Neptune commands today, and should I interfere, might ask me some questions, I should find it difficult to answer. A few minutes after four bells, the car was on the quarter deck; the officers forming a half circle, in the front of which stood the car. When the venerable old Nep. apparently worn down with age and care, rose from his seat, and thus addressed the officers, frequently turning to the Purser.’’ (follows a long versi­ fied speech, asking the new ones to pay sugar, rum or money, else they will be ducked three times from the yard-arm like the poor culprit hanging in the mentioned rope). “A very appropriate address indeed Father Neptune, observed the Captain, “will you take a glass of wine?’’ As it was offered so it was accepted; I drank a good health to the tars of Great Britain. Another glass was handed to Amphitrite, who, mother like, offered some to the triton by holding the glass to his lips, taking at the same time special care that not one drop should go inside his mouth; the Purser seeing that he was likely to meet with no sup­ port, and dreading the yard-arm and No. 1 razor, turned to me and said “well Father Nep­ tune what is it to be?” “Oh just what you please sir, only remember that the rules of Neptune are like the laws of the Medes and Persians, they alter not." “Well then,” said the Purser, “I will give you two bottles of rum, and some porter for yourself;” but I could see it gave the poor Purser a terrible twitch to be forced to so much generosity; the business with the officers was very soon ended, as they were liberal; we gained nothing in the end by it. The first of the ship's company that were shaved, who was brought up blindfolded by the whole posse of constables was the armourer., a bucket was filled with all the cleanings of the hen coops, pig-stys, &c. and with it a due proportion of tar had been mixed; with a large paint brush dipped in this villanous compound, and his razor, close to him the barber stood waiting the signal. My first question was “what is your name my man?” “John S—, your honour,” at the instant of his opening his mouth the brush went across it, when the face the poor creature made it is impossible to describe, “phoo what do you call that?” “what do you call that?" 1 again asked the old man how old he was, “eight and twenty your hon­ our, and so I am; oh I will spake no more, I will spake no more.” As a last effort to make him open his mouth, I said if you mean to put him overboard, mind have a good rope round him for perhaps he cannot swim. Terrified at the idea of being thrown overboard the poor fellow said, “I cannot swim, oh, I cannot swim;” but as the brush again crossed his mouth, he uttered with his teeth closed, “I will spake no more, by J-s I will spake no

31 more if you drown me.” Amid a roar of laughter two men tripped the handspike on which he sat and sent him backward into the sail where the bear was waiting to receive him; it was soon over, he escaped and stood by to see his shipmates share his fate.. The shaving continued until after two o'clock, the decks were washed and every thing was set to rights again; Neptune's gang cleaned themselves, and in the evening attended at the several offi­ cers berths to receive the promised contributions. There was some demur as to quantity, but what was given was even too much, for some carried on drinking all night..” L1826. William Robinson, in John A. Heraud (ed.): Voyages up the Mediterra­ nean and in the Indian Seas (London 1837), 187 seq. (English: Neptune).

L1829'. J. Dumont d'Urville: Voyage pittoresque autour du monde I (Paris 1843), 35 seq. (French; Bonhomme). L1829'1. Kaptajn Flans Bruhns Erindringer (Abenra 1957), 103 seq. (Danish; Neptune).

L1830. M. Laplace: Voyage autour du monde .. sur la corvette de 1’etat La Fa­ vorite I (1833), 31 (French: Bonhomme la Ligne).

L18321. Rob. Fitz-Roy & Ph. Parker King: Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of .. Adventure and Beagle II (London 1839), 57 seq.; Charles Darwin's Diary of the Voyage of H. M.S. “Beagle” (ed. Nora Barlow, Cambr. 1933), 36 (Eng­ lish; Neptune). L183211. A. O. Holtermann: Pere la Ligne).

Aar til Orlogs (Kria. 1842), 70 seq. (French;

Li834. Crawford Pascoe: A Roving Commission (London 1897), 61 seq. (English; Neptune).

L1835. Charles Rockwell: Sketches of Foreign Travel and Life at Sea II (Boston 1842), 372 (American; Neptune). L1836. Abel du Petit-Thouars: Voyage autour du monde sur la fregate La Venus I (Paris 1840), 36 seq. (French: Bonhomme la Ligne).

L1837. J. Arago: Voyage autour du monde de [’Astrolabe et de la Zelee I (Paris 1843), 35 seq. (French: Bonhomme). L c. 18401. M. H. Barker: The Old Sailor’s Jolly Boat (London n.d.), 273 seq. (English: Neptune; cf. L c. 1825). L c. 1840u. John Corbet Anderson: To India and back by the Cape (Croydon 1858), 6 seq. (English; Neptune).

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LI840s. J. A. Carnes: Journal of a Voyage from Boston to the West Coast of Africa (Boston 1852), 430 seq. (American; Neptune).

L18411. Journal of Evald Uggla, MS. in the possession of Capt.-Comm. Gustaf IV. Lilliehobk, Stockholm, brought to my notice by Sam Owen Jansson, Li­ brarian of the Nordiska musect, Stockholm (Swedish; Neptune). LI84ln. A.-S. de Momferrier: Dictionnaire Universel et Raisonne de Marine (Paris 1841), 111, 412 (French').

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L before 1842. A. Grehan (ed.): La France maritime (Paris 1842), 281 seq. (French: Pere la Ligne). L 1842. Baroness de Langsdorff. in Neptunia No 44 (Paris 1956), 36 seq. (French; Pere la Ligne).

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L c. 1845. G. de la Landelle: Les Passageres, quoted in Melusine II, 279 seq. (French; Pere la Ligne). L1845. G. W. von Duben: Resa till Kap, Ostindien och Kina, Aren 1844-1846 (Stockh. 1847), 10 seq. (Swedish; Neptune).

L c. 1850. W. J. Downie: Reminiscenses of a Blackwall Midshipman (London 1912), 66 seq. (English; Neptune). L1850. Fr. Gerstacker: Reisen I (Sluttg.-Tiibingen 1853), 30 (German; Neptune).

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L185I1. Vikingen (Cop.), May 1925, cf. Dec. 1939 (American; Neptune). L185111. N. J. Andersson: En verldsomsegling skildrad i bref I (Stockh. 1855), 52 seq.; C. Skogman: Fregatten Eugenies resa omkring jorden (Stockh., n.d.), 22 seq. (Swedish; Neptune). L1852. Chr. Jul. Klitgaard: Fifty Years as Master Mariner (New York 1930), 75 seq. (Danish; Neptune).

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L18531. Wm. Carstensen: Mellem franske Kammerater (Cop. 1894), 151 seq. (French; Pere la Ligne).

L185311. E. Fog: En Reise til Guldminerne (Holbsk 1854), 17 seq. (English; Nep­ tune).

33 L1856'. P. VP. Dreiee, in F. Holm-Petersen: Fra Sejl til Diesel IV (Odense 1953), 59 seq. (Danish; Neptune).

LI85611. Ole Hoy, in Torben Klinting: Fra Jyllands Vestkyst (Nr. Nebel 1930), 98 seq. (Danish; Neptune). LI856"’. L’lllustration XXXII (Paris Oct. 23, 1858), 267 seq. (French; M. la Ligne). L18571. Paid. Bendix, in Svendborg Amts historiske Aarbog 1937, 30 (English; Neptune).

LI857". B. von Wiillerstorf-Urbair: Reise der Oesterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde I (Wien 1861), 114 seq. (Austrian; Neptune). L1859. Matilda Athenaeum, MS. in the National Maritime Museum, Green­ wich, brought to my notice by Miss K. Lindsay-Mac Dougall (English; Nep­ tune).

L1860'. O. Lund: En 18 Maaneders Rejse med Sejlskib for 70 Aar siden (Holbaek Amts historiske Aarbog 1930, 47 seq.) (Danish: Neptune).

L186011. G. M. Friis: Erindringer fra et Togt med Fregatten “Sjtelland” til Brasilien (Mogeltonder 1862). 33 seq.; Illustreret Tidende II (Cop. 1860-61), 160, 162 (Danish; Neptune).

L1860,n. A. Riis Carstensen: Over viden Strand (Cop. 1897), 5 seq. (Danish; Neptune). L18671. N. A. Larsen: Erindringer fra en Reise rundt Jorden (Kria. 1871), 11, 133 seq. (French: Father Equator or Neptune); text of certificate of Baptism quoted in Danish:

Havenes Rige. Fregatten Iphigenie. Vi Havenes Gud og Behersker, Son af Saturn og Rhea, Broder til Jupiter, Pluto og Juno, Amphitrites A-gtefaille, erkisere herved Hr. Larsen, Lieutenant i Marinen, for debt at vtere, give ham Ret til at reise i vore Stater, tilstaar ham Hjcelp og Beskyttelse til Tegn paa vor Velvillie og Tilfredshed. Givet paa vort Slot. Neptun.

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Translation: Kingdom of Ocean. The Frigate “Iphiginie”. We, God and Ruler of the Seas. Son of Saturn and Rhea. Brother of Jupiter, Pluto and Juno, Consort of Amphitrite, herewith proclaim Mr .. to have been baptized. We give him the right to travel within our domains and grant him assistance and protection as a sign of our good will and satisfaction. Given at our castle. Neptune.

LI867". H7. H. Smyth: The Sailor’s Word-Book (London 1867), 76.

LI8671". John Milner